Wheels of steel: Briton Michael Rutter ready for 20th Macau Grand Prix appearance
Having won eight titles, the 42-year-old has no intention of putting the brakes on his career just yet
Michael Rutter's affinity with the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, where he holds a record eight titles, spans parts of three decades but he keeps getting better with age - so much so he's favourite again this year.
Incredibly, the 42-year-old "Two-Wheel King of Macau" from Wordsley in the West Midlands, will be entering his 20th Macau race. The first time the youthful Rutter competed around the 6.2-km Guia circuit, Chris Patten was governor of Hong Kong; the worldwide web were buzz words in the embryonic age of the internet and Tom Hanks played Forrest Gump.
"It's incredible. I can't believe it … 20 years … I just enjoy it, the old event. It's fantastic," said Rutter, who lists Macau as one of his favourite races and first competed in the city in 1994, missing just one year in 1995.
When you race bikes, it's always good to compete on different ones, it's good to ride the Yamaha. I can't wait. It's amazing really
"Coming to that part of the world, I have seen it change so much over the years. I just enjoy going over there, it's a brilliant circuit and the people are brilliant. Macau still gives me that thrill," said Rutter, who is ready for the November 15, 12-lap race.
The Blade, as the legendary rider is known, hasn't lost his love for racing and he believes he could stretch his fairytale run in the 48th edition of the race to a record nine victories with a bike that could make the difference.
Last year, he was on a Honda and finished second behind fellow Englishman Ian Hutchinson, who stole the headlines with his first win in Macau after coming back from long injury.
This year, Rutter is on the same bike that Hutchinson won on in 2013. The switch from Honda to a full factory Milwaukee Yamaha YZF-R1 could be the boost Rutter needs to ride into the history books once again.